The Baroque and Rococo
Baroque and Rococo Period1600-1750
• In history:– Discovery of the telescope by Galileo– Founding of Jamestown settlement in America– Absolute rule by Louis XIV, XV of France– Attempt by pope to make the Catholic religion
more popular– Completion of St. Peter’s Square in Rome (Vatican)
Europe during the Baroque Period
Baroque Painting 1600-1750- Dramatic- Lush textures, details- Chiaroscuro Lighting - strong contrast between
light and dark to achieve contoured form- also includes some less dramatic painters such
as Vermeer- Artists trying to lend drama and life to
religious scenes- Gentileschi, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt,
Vermeer
Caravaggio, The Calling of St. Matthew
Artimesia Gentileschi, Judith Beheading Holofernes
Pieter Paul Rubens - The Massacre of the Innocents
Rembrandt (van Rijn)
Widely considered to be one of the greatest artists of all time.Focused mainly on portraiture, landscape and narrative painting (painting that tells a story)
Self-portrait
Rembrandt – The Night Watch
Note:Use of Chiaroscuro
Sense of Movement
Rubens - The Three Graces
Splendour, Mirth, Good Cheer
Johannes Vermeer - Girl with a Water Pitcher
Johannes Vermeer – Woman Holding a Balance
What is depicted?
What is the subject matter /Theme?
What is the symbolism?
Still Life Painting in the Dutch Golden Age (Baroque Period)
• Rich in Symbolism – objects that symbolize ideas
• Often depicts items of wealth that could only be obtained through overseas trade (Dutch East India Company)
• Themes of death, decay, wealth, decadence
Vanitas Still Life
Jacques De Gheyn
1603
What is the subject matter?
What is the theme?
Claesz, Still Life with Skull and Writing Quill
Davidz de Heem, Banqueting Still Life
Claesz, Still Life with Oysters and Nuts
De Beyeren,
Still Life with Lobster and Fruit
Rococo Architecture and Design
• Intended to convey wealth • Especially popular in Catholic countries • Louis XIII, Louis XIV of France
• Word Rococo is derivative of the French term rocaille, which means “rock and shell garden ornamentation”.
What does it look like?
• Move away from symmetry to more fluid designs
• Very elaborate and “gaudy”Quote:
“Rococo was a lifestyle. An opulent, playful embrace of ornate furniture and sculpture, ornamental mirrors, and florid tapestry and architecture. 18th century swag.”
Swag these days …
Rococo furniture – fluid lines, ornate, gold
Versailles
Palace of Louis XIV, Built between 1661 And 1710
Queen’s Chamber,Versailles
Versailles – Hall of Mirrors
Versailles Exterior
Rococo Churches – “teeming with life”
Rococo Painting
So, what is the catalyst here?
• Effort to popularize religion == more dramatic scenes
• Absolutist rulers and great difference in wealth between rich and poor == status-conscious art
• Developments in Renaissance == artists still looking to perfect their interpretation of “reality”
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